Struggling to understand if Turnitin checks graphs and tables? Here’s the truth: Turnitin focuses on detecting text, not visual data like charts or figures. This blog will explain what it can and cannot detect, plus how to properly include visuals in your papers.

Keep reading for quick tips!

Key Takeaways

• Turnitin focuses on text detection and struggles with graphs or tables saved as images (e.g., JPEG, PNG).
• Editable text in graphs or tables, like Excel-based visuals, can be detected by Turnitin.
• Non-highlightable formats and unique designs often escape Turnitin’s analysis.
• Properly label, format, and cite all visuals to avoid plagiarism issues.
• Submitted papers may stay in Turnitin’s database based on the institution’s retention policy.

Does Turnitin Check Graphs and Tables?

Turnitin mostly focuses on text, but it does review some visual elements. Graphs and tables may escape its radar if they aren’t in readable formats like text-based charts or embedded files.

What Type of Tables or Graphs Turnitin Detects

Highlightable text in tables or graphs can trigger Turnitin’s detection. For example, if a graph’s labels are written as editable text, it gets flagged. Graphs and tables made using tools like Microsoft Excel often fall into this category.

Text-heavy visuals saved within Word documents or PDF formats get reviewed by the system too. If embedded data points use subscripts or special characters, these might still be detected.

Simple file types matter here. Formats like LibreOffice and OpenOffice work for detection due to standard text structures they use. Even some images with Optical Character Recognition (OCR) applied—like JPEGs of scanned books—might reveal copied content when converted properly before submission.

This leads straight into which kinds remain harder for Turnitin to handle next!

Types of Graphs and Tables Turnitin Cannot Detect

Graphs saved as images slip past Turnitin’s radar. This happens because it cannot read text embedded in non-highlightable formats like JPEG or PNG files. Tables turned into pictures behave the same way.

Plagiarism detection tools, such as Turnitin, rely on extracting readable words to compare content with its vast database.

Custom-made charts and tables also fly under the system’s nose. If you create a unique design without copying layout ideas, detection becomes nearly impossible. Scientific graphs using X and Y axis data from your own research are safe too.

As long as no pre-existing designs get reused directly, they won’t trigger any red flags.

How Turnitin Handles Visual Data

Turnitin focuses on text more than pictures. It struggles to fully read graphs or tables since they’re seen as images.

Detection Mechanisms for Graphical Content

Turnitin uses advanced tools to spot plagiarism in graphical content. Its system scans figures, tables, and graphs for matches with data from its database or the internet. It relies on partnerships with major publishers like Elsevier and Wiley to cross-check scholarly articles.

A web crawler collects historical data online, helping identify reused visuals.

Text embedded within images can also be analyzed if it’s machine-readable. Visuals saved as plain images may escape detection since Turnitin focuses heavily on text-based identification methods.

This creates gaps for graphs without digital text layers or uniquely styled charts that lack resemblance to known sources.

Limitations in Graph and Table Analysis

Detecting plagiarism in graphs and tables has blind spots. Visual data, like images of charts or screenshots of tables, often escapes Turnitin’s detection. This happens because non-highlightable text cannot be scanned by its system.

For instance, a pie chart saved as an image will fly under the radar since it lacks searchable text.

Converting visual figures to plain text can reveal patterns plagiarized from source material, but this process takes time and effort. Even then, not all graphical details get detected correctly.

Automated tools prioritize written content over visual formats, which leaves gaps in their review abilities for academics using creative visuals or complex datasets.

Strategies to Properly Include Graphs and Tables in Academic Papers

Including graphs and tables can make your paper more clear. Use them wisely to convey data, not just to fill space.

Best Practices for Formatting Graphs and Tables

Graphs and tables make academic papers clear and professional. Formatting them properly helps readers understand your work better.

1. Use the right font size for clarity. APA recommends 8-12 for graphs, while MLA allows 8-14, matching the paper’s text. Choose fonts like Arial or Times New Roman for a clean look.
2. Label everything clearly and correctly. In MLA format, use “Figure” or “fig.” with Arabic numbers (e.g., Figure 1). This keeps your work organized.
3. Pay attention to figure sizes in APA formatting. Single-column figures should be 2-3.25 inches wide, while two-column ones need to be 4.25-6.875 inches wide.
4. Place all captions below graphs and tables. Write short, descriptive captions that summarize what the visual shows.
5. Keep spacing consistent throughout your paper. Ensure there’s enough white space around visuals so they don’t appear cramped or cluttered.
6. Use color sparingly but effectively when necessary. Stick with shades that print well in black and white to avoid losing clarity if copies aren’t printed in color.
7. Align graphs and tables with the text logically where they are discussed first in your essay or report.

Next up: understanding how Turnitin manages submitted papers efficiently through its retention policy!

Tips on Integrating Graphs Well in Essays

Including graphs in essays can make them clearer and more engaging. They also help showcase data in a simple way, which makes reading easier.

1. Use graphs only when necessary. Don’t overwhelm your essay with too many visuals. Each graph should add value, not clutter.
2. Label all graphs clearly. Include titles, axes labels, and units so readers understand the data immediately.
3. Place graphs near relevant text. This helps readers connect the graph to its explanation without scrolling endlessly.
4. Avoid direct screenshots of tables or charts. Use software-generated versions for cleaner formatting and better readability.
5. Keep the design of graphs simple. Use contrasting colors sparingly, and stick to clean fonts for text within charts.
6. Convert complex charts into simpler formats, like pie charts or bar graphs, if possible. Simpler visuals are easier for readers to interpret quickly.
7. Ensure consistency in style and size across all graphics used in one paper. Mismatched styles can make an essay look disorganized.
8. Cite the source of any borrowed data or visuals correctly within your bibliography to avoid plagiarism issues with tools like Turnitin.
9. Write a brief explanation below each graph describing its significance if not obvious from context.
10. Always proofread your final draft after adding visuals—check alignment, clarity, and spelling errors on captions or titles!

Does Turnitin Save Your Paper? Understanding Turnitin’s Paper Retention Policy

Turnitin saves submitted papers to its database. This helps build a reference library for plagiarism detection. Their archive includes over 47 billion web pages, books, journals, and student work collected over 20 years.

Once your paper is uploaded, it may be stored in the “standard” or “no repository” option based on what your institution chooses.

The standard option keeps your paper indefinitely. It gets checked against future submissions for overlap or copying. Schools can opt out by using the no-repository setting instead.

In this case, Turnitin checks the work but doesn’t retain it long-term. You cannot remove saved papers yourself—contacting instructors or administrators is required if needed!

Conclusion

Turnitin mainly focuses on text, not visuals. It can’t detect plagiarism in graphs or tables directly. To play it safe, cite all sources properly. Formatting matters too—keep your work clean and clear.

Your effort makes your paper shine!

For more detailed insights on how your submissions are archived, explore our article on Turnitin’s paper retention policy.